Mursi Tribe – Clay Lip Plate

from $950.00
USD $590.06

** Transactions are in AUD$, approximate rates are provided in other currencies

This Mursi woman from southern Ethiopia had the largest lip plate I had ever seen, so heavy she had to support it with her hand. Lip plates, made from natural clay, are a significant aspect of African tribal art. This tradition is slowly fading as younger women avoid this practice.

In the Mursi tribe, when a young woman reaches puberty or marriageable age, she starts the process of stretching her lip to wear a lip plate, a symbol of beautification and status. A large lip plate can fetch a significant dowry for her family. The process involves knocking out two lower teeth, making a slit in the lower lip, and gradually increasing the size of a wooden plug until it can hold a clay plate. This results in a lifelong deformity, with the lower lip hanging loosely without the plate.

Discover the rich traditions of the Omo tribe and African tribal art through my fine art photography prints.

  • All photos are signed limited edition prints: M 50 : L 25 : XL 15

  • Print sizes in the drop-down menu refer to the image size only

  • Each photograph has a 2-inch (5cm) white border surrounding the image

  • Need more info, head to Details & Frequently Asked Questions on the menu bar in INFO

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This Mursi woman from southern Ethiopia had the largest lip plate I had ever seen, so heavy she had to support it with her hand. Lip plates, made from natural clay, are a significant aspect of African tribal art. This tradition is slowly fading as younger women avoid this practice.

In the Mursi tribe, when a young woman reaches puberty or marriageable age, she starts the process of stretching her lip to wear a lip plate, a symbol of beautification and status. A large lip plate can fetch a significant dowry for her family. The process involves knocking out two lower teeth, making a slit in the lower lip, and gradually increasing the size of a wooden plug until it can hold a clay plate. This results in a lifelong deformity, with the lower lip hanging loosely without the plate.

Discover the rich traditions of the Omo tribe and African tribal art through my fine art photography prints.

  • All photos are signed limited edition prints: M 50 : L 25 : XL 15

  • Print sizes in the drop-down menu refer to the image size only

  • Each photograph has a 2-inch (5cm) white border surrounding the image

  • Need more info, head to Details & Frequently Asked Questions on the menu bar in INFO

This Mursi woman from southern Ethiopia had the largest lip plate I had ever seen, so heavy she had to support it with her hand. Lip plates, made from natural clay, are a significant aspect of African tribal art. This tradition is slowly fading as younger women avoid this practice.

In the Mursi tribe, when a young woman reaches puberty or marriageable age, she starts the process of stretching her lip to wear a lip plate, a symbol of beautification and status. A large lip plate can fetch a significant dowry for her family. The process involves knocking out two lower teeth, making a slit in the lower lip, and gradually increasing the size of a wooden plug until it can hold a clay plate. This results in a lifelong deformity, with the lower lip hanging loosely without the plate.

Discover the rich traditions of the Omo tribe and African tribal art through my fine art photography prints.

  • All photos are signed limited edition prints: M 50 : L 25 : XL 15

  • Print sizes in the drop-down menu refer to the image size only

  • Each photograph has a 2-inch (5cm) white border surrounding the image

  • Need more info, head to Details & Frequently Asked Questions on the menu bar in INFO

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